Damian Kennedy - Director
I have dedicated the last 40 years to playing and coaching basketball. My journey began in my hometown of Union City, where I played varsity basketball for three years at Union Hill High School. From 1992 to 1996, I played point guard for Caldwell College, on a team that went to two NAIA National tournaments. After earning my degree in History, I became a teacher and high school basketball coach. In 1998, I took on the role of Varsity Head Coach at St. Joseph of the Palisades High School, where I coached until its closure in 2009. During this time, we won three County Championships, and I had the privilege of coaching several Division I, II, and III players.
My next chapter brought me to Bogota High School, where I served as Vice Principal and later as Girl's Varsity Basketball coach for three seasons before stepping down in 2016 when I was appointed Principal of Bogota High School. Since then, I have coached Caldwell travel basketball for grades 4-8 and coached NJ Hoop Stars AAU, coaching boys' high school teams for the last two years.
Chris Checchetto - Head Coach
With over three decades of experience in coaching at various levels and a committed career in education, I am passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential. As a former Division One athlete at Rutgers University, I earned my degree in Sports Management and began my coaching journey as the varsity assistant girls' basketball coach at Mt. St. Dominic. After obtaining my post-baccalaureate teaching certification from Caldwell University, I started my teaching career at Cedar Grove in 2000. There, I served as the freshmen basketball coach for one season before taking over as the varsity girls' coach for the next four seasons, earning Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2002.
In 2004, I transitioned to head coach of Cedar Grove's baseball team, where I received Conference Coach of the Year accolades and led the team to a conference and state championship. While coaching, I pursued my MA in Education Leadership and, in 2008, accepted the Principal position at Gould School in North Caldwell, where I have served for the past 16 years. My love for coaching continued with roles such as varsity assistant boys' coach at Montville, middle school basketball coach at West Essex, and currently as the varsity assistant baseball coach at West Essex. Additionally, I have coached boys' travel basketball for Caldwell and West Essex, achieving multiple championships.
I am thrilled to join Essex Elite Hoops, where I can blend my passion for teaching and coaching to support our student-athletes in achieving success both on and off the court!
Brian Dorf - Head Coach
Coach Dorf brings nine years of combined high school and AAU coaching experience to the Essex Elite staff. On the boys’ side, he has coached at West Orange, Glen Ridge, Cedar Grove, Morristown, and Hanover Park High Schools, serving in various roles including freshman coach (West Orange), JV coach (Cedar Grove), and varsity assistant (Glen Ridge, Morristown, and Hanover Park).
On the girls’ side, Coach Dorf has served exclusively as a head coach, leading the programs at Verona High School from 2021 to 2023 and, most recently, completing his first season at Mount Saint Dominic Academy.
In the AAU circuit, Coach Dorf has been involved with Morris Magic, Triple Threat, and AndOne, and now brings his experience and passion to Essex Elite. Across all levels and teams, his focus has remained consistent: developing individual skills, enhancing players' basketball IQ, and providing in-game coaching tailored to high-level athletes striving to excel in high school and beyond.
Ray Zamloot - Assistant Coach
I am a proud native of Caldwell, New Jersey, where my passion for basketball was shaped at James Caldwell High School. Over the course of my high school career, I scored over 1,000 points, was named the Liberty Division Player of the Year, earned First-Team All-County and First-Team All-Conference honors, and led our team to the Group 2 Final—marking one of the program’s most memorable postseason runs.
I currently play for the Men’s Basketball team at Gettysburg College, where I continue to compete at a high level while representing a program grounded in toughness, teamwork, and accountability. Playing in the competitive Centennial Conference has sharpened my skills and deepened my appreciation for the game.
At Gettysburg, I am pursuing a degree in Mathematical Economics with a minor in Data Science. I’m especially interested in the intersection of quantitative analysis and real-world decision-making, and I actively participate in academic and extracurricular opportunities that enhance both my technical and leadership skills.
Basketball has been a defining part of my journey—from reaching personal milestones and leading successful teams to embracing the demands of college athletics—and I look forward to continuing to grow both on and off the court. I am excited to be a part of the Essex Elite staff and look forward to helping young athletes reach their full potential.
Carter Koenig - Assistant Coach
I am a proud native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and have cultivated a deep passion for basketball through years of dedication as both a player and a coach. My basketball journey began at Glen Ridge High School, where I enjoyed a successful career, earning 3rd Team All-State Group 1 honors and playing a key role in leading the Ridgers to their first sectional championship since 1988.
I continued my basketball career at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where I joined the Men’s Basketball team as a walk-on during my junior year. I am currently pursuing a degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration and expect to graduate in 2026. Throughout my collegiate career, I have had the opportunity to compete against highly regarded programs, including the University of New Hampshire (Division I), Bentley University (Division II), Tufts University, and Middlebury College.
My coaching experience includes leading Glen Ridge middle school summer league teams and conducting training sessions for players of various ages and skill levels. I am excited to be a part of the Essex Elite coaching staff and look forward to contributing to the growth and success of our athletes in the upcoming seasons.